December 11, 2012

Big Story Weather – December 11, 2012

Big Story Weather from December 10: The cold front pushed further east throughout the day yesterday and brought severe weather along the Gulf Coast with multiple tornadoes being reported from Louisiana to Florida. This same storm system also brought significant snowfall to the Great Lakes region and also heavy rain along the East Coast. The remainder of the United States enjoyed a fairly nice day as a strong and cold area of high pressure moved in bringing freezing conditions all the way into Southern Texas.

Weather Outlook for December 11: The front pushes off the coast today bringing partly cloudy skies to the East Coast. A weak disturbance will begin to develop in the Gulf of Mexico today and will bring showers to the Northern Gulf and Florida later this afternoon with very cold air in place. High pressure will be over Eastern Oklahoma and Texas and this will keep the region partly cloudy and cold. The Northern Plains will see a slight warming trend this evening as the next frontal boundary moves across the Rockies towards the region. A few showers associated with a frontal boundary will be found in the Pacific Northwest. Below is the weather for a few select cities.

International Weather Outlook for December 11: High pressure over Eastern China will bring partly cloudy skies to the Koreas and also portions of Japan for today. High pressure over the Tibetan Plateau will bring partly cloudy skies to most of Southeast Asia. High pressure over Eastern Europe will bring partly cloudy skies to the region, while a weak frontal boundary moves towards Norway which will bring snow showers to the region. High pressure over the Atlantic will bring partly cloudy skies to Spain and England today. Low pressure well south of the tip of South America will bring extensive cloud cover to the region. High pressure will bring partly cloudy skies to the Southern portion of Australia, while a low pressure moves across the Northern part of the country which will bring showers and thunderstorms to the region. Here is the forecast for a few select international cities.

Seoul South Korea: Partly Cloudy with a low near 4C.
Manila Philippines: Partly Cloudy with a low near 24C.
Bangkok Thailand: Partly Cloudy with a low near 25C.
Madrid Spain: Partly Cloudy with a low near 7C.
Darwin Australia: Partly Cloudy with showers and a low near 23C.

December 11, 2012 Storm Tracker Update:

Atlantic Basin: Low pressure is moving into Western Russia today and another area of low pressure is moving towards Northern Africa which will bring some showers to the region. Low pressure is beginning to push up into Eastern Canada and the frontal boundary has moved off the East Coast of the US. There is the potential for another low to form along the boundary in the Northern Gulf later this afternoon that could push across Florida bringing showers to the Northern Gulf Coast region.

Eastern Pacific: Low pressure has moved into the Western Gulf of Alaska and will bring increased winds/seas to the region along with snow showers to the coastline of the Aleutian Islands.

Western Pacific: Low pressure over Northeast Russia will bring snow showers to the region, while another low begins to push across the dateline and into the Western Gulf of Alaska.

Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone Claudia is moving slowly towards the South-Southwest and as of this morning has winds around 75kts with a pressure of 967mb.

Southern Hemisphere: An area of low pressure is well to the west of South America. However, it will begin to move towards the Southern part of South America this week. Another area of low pressure is moving along the Southeast coast of South America bringing showers and thunderstorms to the region. Another low is moving through the Northern part of Australia bringing showers and thunderstorms to the region.

Five Day Storm Index Outlook for December 11-15:

New York NY: A slight chance of impacts this morning as a few showers are still in the area, otherwise the remainder of the period will be impact free.

Mobile AL: The region will see a few passing showers today which will bring a slight impact. After that look for a tranquil week with no impacts forecasted.

Fargo ND: A nice and cold week with high pressure over the area will make it impact free.

Billings MT: A nice day today followed by a chance of some showers tomorrow which will bring a slight impact to the region. Then the rest of the period will be impact free.

Seattle WA: A nice day today with just clouds, however the rest of the forecast will see slight impacts with showers expected each day.

Climate Watch for December 6-10:

New York NY: The period started with temps around 6 below average followed by a nice warm up as temps rose to around 4-15 degrees above average for the remainder of the period.

Mobile AL: A warm start to the period with temps running about 7-14 degrees above average followed by an increase in temps with them running around 10-16 degrees above to finish the period.

Fargo ND: The temps started about 13 degrees above average and then fell to around 4 degrees below average before warming back up to around 7 degrees above and then fell to finish the period around 3-13 degrees below average.

Billings MT: The period started with temps about 2-4 degrees above average and then they fell to around 1-12 degrees below average for the remainder of the period.

Day 1-3: A weak area of showers will develop in the Northern Gulf of Mexico today. As high pressure settles in over the majority of the country bringing colder weather to the region, look for a frontal boundary to start bringing some showers back into the Pacific Northwest. The period will end with high pressure building over the East Coast and back into the Plains. A new developing low will push into the Southwest bringing snow and rains to the region. A frontal boundary will also be along the Pacific Northwest.

Day 4-7: The period will start with high pressure along the East Coast and the low pressure will begin to push into the Southern Plains, while high pressure builds in over the Pacific Northwest. The middle of the period will see our low pressure move into the Great Lakes and another frontal boundary making its way into the Pacific Northwest. The period will end with the frontal boundary and low pressure along the East Coast bringing rain and snow to the region, while high pressure builds in over the Southern Plains and another frontal boundary pushes into the Northern Rockies.

Day 8-12: The period will start with a weak high pressure over the East Coast and a new developing low moving into the Southern Plains and also a strong high pressure center moving into the Rockies region bringing some very cold weather to the area. The Pacific Northwest will see another strong frontal boundary begin to make its way into the region. The middle of the period we will be looking at a significant Nor´Easter in the making with the potential of having heavy coastal rains and in land snows that could become heavy. High pressure will be over Southern Texas bringing another shot of cold weather all the way south into the Gulf Coast region. An Alberta Clipper system will be moving through the Northern Plains bringing a few snow showers to the region. A frontal boundary will begin to bring more moisture to the Pacific Northwest. The period will end with a major winter storm along the Eastern Seaboard with heavy coastal rains and snows very likely. Strong high pressure will build in over the Ohio River Valley and extend all the way to the Gulf Coast. A frontal boundary will be along the West Coast bringing more showers and mountain snows to the region.

Day 13-15: The period starts with high pressure from Canada extending all the way to the Northeast and down to the Southeast bringing some very cold air over a good portion of the region. A new low pressure system will be moving into the Rockies during this time as more moisture will be pushing on shore over the West Coast. The middle of the period we will see high pressure along the East Coast, while a low pressure will be pushing into the Southern Plains and also another strong high pressure will be building back over the Rockies. Look for this low in the Southern Plains to have some strong thunderstorms and also snow on the backside of it. Another low pressure and associated frontal boundary will begin to push on shore over the Pacific Northwest. By Christmas Eve we will be looking at a low pressure in the Great Lakes region with some snow around it and the associated frontal boundary all the way down to the Gulf Coast with some severe weather with it. High pressure will be slowly building in over the Rockies and more moisture will be entering the Pacific Northwest. The period will end very active with multiple storm systems on the map and very cold air in place to finish the year.

Today's Spotlight Forecast is for Biloxi MS:

Tuesday: Partly Cloudy with a few passing showers in the afternoon and a high near 55F, winds will be from the North around 8-13mph as overnight lows fall to around 40F.

Wednesday: Partly Cloudy and cool with a high near 56F, winds will be from the North at 10-15mph as overnight lows fall to near freezing.

Thursday: Partly Cloudy and a tad bit warmer with a high near 60F, winds from the Northeast around 8-13mph as overnight lows fall to around 37F.

Friday: Partly Cloudy and warmer with a high near 66F, winds from the East around 5-10mph as overnight lows fall to around 43F.

Saturday: Partly Cloudy and nice with a high near 68F, winds from the Southeast around 7-12mph as overnight lows fall to around 49F.

Ask The Weatherman for December 11:

Question: What is downslope heating?

Answer: Today´s question has to deal with downslope heating and the significance it can have on a local weather forecast. For example, if you live beside a mountain, you will know this event well. You will see that when the winds pick up and they start blowing down the mountain side they bring rapid heating to the area. This is very common in the summer in the Southwest US and also along any other major mountain or higher elevated area. It can also occur in Eastern Texas.

*** To have your question of the day answered or have your city spotlighted for the day make sure to visit redOrbit on Facebook. ***

Green Energy Weather Report for December 11:

Wave Energy: Look for an area of moderate wave action along the Northern Gulf of Mexico associated with a frontal boundary out over the region.

Solar Energy: High pressure over the Plains will make this region a good choice for solar energy today and then back into the Southwest also another nice day for solar energy in the region.

Wind Energy: The front has cleared the East Coast, however the strong Northwest winds behind it are making a good setup for wind energy from the Ohio River Valley southward into the Mississippi River Valley today.

Hydro-Energy: A few lingering showers along the Northeast this morning will give a small chance for some additional hydro energy. The light showers that move along the Northern Gulf of Mexico will also bring some hydro energy build up to the region. The third spot will be along the Pacific Northwest as another frontal boundary starts to make its way towards the region.

December 11 Weather and Your Wallet (Orlando Florida):

Dining: Any outdoor lunch plans will be limited as there is going to be ample showers in the area today.

Transportation: A slow day with the commute as many areas of showers will be in place and the ponding on the road surfaces will create a hazard to driving.

Shopping: If you are headed to Disney today or out to do some shopping you will want to plan around the showers as its going to be a wet day. Don't forget to bring your umbrella.

Electricity: A rainy and mild day in store for the region as there will be a small window this afternoon of air conditioning needed between 2 and 6pm with a 10.5 CDD day in store.

Agriculture: No major issues but there will be some much needed rain for the farmers in the region.

Construction: A very slow go of the day with a lot of rain which will delay outdoor projects.

Outdoor Venues: Disney World is a popular destination, however with all the rain in the area, you might want to delay the adventure for today unless you carry an umbrella with you.